Tag: Shop Beauty

Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services.

Many of Us dream about waking up to bright and alert under-eyes. Unfortunately, everything from genetics to stress, aging and even diet can all contribute to puffy, dark under-eye circles. There’s no right or wrong way to address the common skincare concern. Celebs and influencers have come forward with tales of using filler and other injectables to depuff. Meanwhile, other skincare enthusiasts opt for plumping and blurring products to brighten their under-eyes. TBH, it’s all a matter of personal preference!

If going under the needle is less than ideal, try an under-eye serum! Figuring out which one works best for your skin’s type and condition can be a little tricky, though. It can take some trial and error! However, we’ve uncovered a popular find on Amazon that’s enriched with depuffing ingredients and improves the overall appearance of under-eye bags.

Get the Goldfaden MD Bright Eyes Dark Circle Radiance Concentrate for just $14 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, November 21, 2023, but are subject to change.

Goldfaden MD Bright Eyes Dark Circle Radiance Concentrate is a dermatologist-developed serum that nourishes dry under-eyes and improves firmness. Naturally derived soy peptides, arnica, rice bran extra, organic tea and jojoba oil moisturize the under-eye and support skin elasticity. Squalane and apricot oil are other vital ingredients which help this powerhouse concentrate, plump and smoothen. That means you can sport a refreshed glow without shelling out big bucks at the dermatologist’s office!

Free of parabens, harsh chemicals, alcohol, mineral oils and silicone, this serum is 100% vegetarian and hypoallergenic. And don’t worry about irritation — the action-packed formula is effective enough to revive dull, dark eyes but gentle enough for sensitive and mature skin types.

Get the Goldfaden MD Bright Eyes Dark Circle Radiance Concentrate for just $14 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, November 21, 2023, but are subject to change.

Verified Amazon shoppers have documented the noticeable results they’ve seen after consistent use. “Since using this, I have noticed my puffiness has drastically went down,” one shopper wrote. “My dark circles have noticeably improved, and my overall hydration in the eye area has been impressive,” the same shopper added. Another reviewer beamed about finally finding the answer to their dark circles. “Much to my surprise, this product actually did what it advertised,” the shopper noted before adding, “lessened (significantly) the dark circles under my eyes.”

As much as we’d love to see overnight results, practicing patience when using this concentrate is best. Some users note softer, plumper and more hydrated skin within seven-to-10 days. However, applying the product regularly for four–to-six weeks is recommended for optimal results.

If you’re ready to revive dry, puffy under eyes, trying a brightening eye treatment. Goldfaden MD Bright Eyes Dark Circle Radiance Concentrate is a hit with shoppers online and is super affordable too! Add this skincare staple to your cart ASAP — just prepare to be wowed by the results!

See it: Get the Goldfaden MD Bright Eyes Dark Circle Radiance Concentrate for just $14 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, November 21, 2023, but are subject to change.

Shop With Us tip: Find the best gifts on Amazon personalized to your shopping history here!

Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services.

A bronzed glow is a look that many of Us prefer to sport year-round. We get fewer hours of sunlight once November hits and fall gradually transitions into winter. Swapping out your summer-approved foundations with cold-weather-friendly ones is helpful now that the holiday season is in full swing, and you can even use bronzer to provide more depth to your complexion. But what about when you want to achieve a glow all over?

In that case, it’s time to check out self-tanner. While some are known for leaving orange streaks and less-than-desirable scents, we’ve discovered a self-tanning kit equipped with everything you need to achieve a radiant glow on your face and body this holiday season. Keep reading for more deets!

Get the Coco & Eve Tan Masters Holiday Edition Set for $72 (originally $103) at Coco & Eve!

The Coco & Eve Tan Masters Holiday Edition Set features an Antioxidant Face Tanning Micromist, Bali Bronzing Foam, a limited-edition face Kabuki brush and a velvety tanning mitt.  It comes together in a chic Luxe Glow-Getter pouch, perfect for a stocking stuffer or a Barbiecore-inspired spot underneath the tree. The Antioxidant Face Tanning Micromist delivers a streak-free face tan, while the Bali Bronzing Foam coats skin with a filter-like blur thanks to a lightweight and non-stick formula. The Kabuki brush and tanning mitt provides even coverage without the risk of leaving messy orange hands behind.

And don’t worry about unfavorable smells. Shoppers rave over the barely-there fragrance which lingers after application. Unlike some self tanners, this micromist is enriched with antioxidants to protect against free radicals, while the bronzing foam is made free of harmful ingredients.

Get the Cocoa & Eve Tan Masters Holiday Edition Set for $72 (originally $103) at Coco & Eve!

The application process is easy and breezy. Simply cleanse the face and neck area before applying the Face Tanning Micromist. Spray a light layer throughout the neck and face and allow it to absorb for 30 seconds. Complete your skincare routine once the product is fully absorbed, and allow the tan up to six hours to fully develop.

Things get more involved when it comes to the Bali Bronzing Foam. Remove unwanted hair and exfoliate thoroughly between six-to-24 hours before tanning. Pump the foam onto the tanning mitt and kabuki brush to apply to tricky areas like the feet, hands, face and ears in a circular motion. Gradually use more products until the area is covered. Allow to develop between two hours or overnight for a deeper tan. Shower in warm water to remove the guide color and pat the skin dry. If you’re a tanning enthusiast, you can repeat this process every five-to-seven days. For optimal results, moisturize daily to maintain the tan.

Verified shoppers shared their thoughts on the product. “This self-tanner is absolutely amazing,” one reviewer revealed. “It smells so good and gives you the best tan each time. It also applies very smoothly and easily.”

In case you were wondering, it’s 100% possible to achieve sun-kissed skin without hopping in a tanning bed or when it’s too cold to lay out on a beach. Fact: Self tanner is the ultimate way to maintain a bronzed glow. The Coco & Eve Tan Masters Holiday Edition Set features everything you need to get your tan on at home!

See it: Get the Coco & Eve Tan Masters Holiday Edition Set for $72 (originally $103) at Coco & Eve!

Not done shopping yet? Shop more from Coco & Eve here!

Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services.

Paige DeSorbo is our makeup muse. The Summer House star always looks flawless, whether she’s going full glam or more minimalistic. But one of the reasons we love the Giggly Squad co-host is that she often opts for budget-friendly beauty brands rather than splurging on luxury labels. Stars — they’re just like Us!

During a recent ‘Get Ready with Me’ episode of The Paige DeSorbo Show on Amazon Live, Paige applied her go-to mascara — and it’s only $5! “I use the Essence,” she said. “This one is the turquoise one, Lash Princess. I discovered these mascaras probably three years ago now, and I really do love them. They’re so affordable! I don’t even want to say cheap, but they are cheap. They’re so good.”

Who needs a $50 tube of designer mascara when you could score this drugstore mascara instead? Paige’s beauty product also happens to be the no. 1 bestselling mascara on Amazon! Sold.

Get the Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara for just $5 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, October 27, 2023, but are subject to change.

With over 351,000 reviews on Amazon, the Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara is by far the most popular mascara on the site. If we could, we’d nominate this Lash Princess for Homecoming Queen. One of these mascaras is sold every seven seconds!

Ditch the eyelash extensions and try this voluminous mascara! False lash effect without the falsies. The fiber brush defines and separates lashes for dramatic volume and length.

Get the Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara for just $5 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, October 27, 2023, but are subject to change.

One customer called this beauty product the “best overall mascara I’ve ever used! The false lash effect was literally evident with just one coat! The brush is perfect. The inexpensive price is wonderful to boot! I’ve bought expensive mascara in the past that don’t measure up to this one.”

Another shopper agreed, gushing, “Absolutely love this mascara. It’s super cheap and the effect it leaves you would never believe. I used to spend so much money on expensive mascaras that didn’t do half of the work this one does.”

Just like Paige, we love a look for less! So, shop this extremely inexpensive mascara from Amazon today!

See it! Get the Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara for just $5 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, October 27, 2023, but are subject to change.

Not what you’re looking for? Shop more from Essence here and explore more mascaras here! Don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Shop With Us tip: Find the best gifts on Amazon personalized to your shopping history here!

Not done shopping? See more of our favorite products below:

Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services.

We’re in the midst of the third annual Amazon Holiday Beauty Haul — and it’s the best one yet! From now through November 5, you can nab major markdowns on your favorite beauty brands!

We previously curated a list of can’t-miss deals in this sale, but right now, we’re looking for some luxury. High-end, professional, premium finds only! Let’s take your routine to the next level, shall we? Shop the best of the best on sale below!

Looking for something else? Explore the rest of the Holiday Beauty Haul here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Shop With Us tip: Find the best gifts on Amazon personalized to your shopping history here!

Not done shopping? See more of our favorite products below:

Branded content. Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services.

No matter how deep your knowledge of skincare goes, there’s one product that everyone knows. Face wash? Okay, yes. But we’re talking about the even more exciting face scrubs. Nearly everyone has had a face scrub in their shower at one time or another (the St. Ives Apricot Scrub, anyone?). And there’s a reason why everyone loves them. Their grainy texture removes dead skin cells from the surface of the skin to deliver a satisfying clean and baby-soft smoothness.

While face scrubs have had their highs and lows in the industry—peaking in their early days of the 90s and early 2000s and falling off the bandwagon in the later 2010s—there’s good news for fans of the physical exfoliant: new technology, gentler ingredients, and overall better formulas have put face scrubs back on the scene, and they’re better than ever.

Sorting through them all for you, we’ve compiled a list of the 15 best face scrubs in 2023, from ultra-gentle exfoliants to microdermabrasion powerhouses. There truly is something here for everyone.

Dos and Don’ts of Face Scrubs

Before we dive into our top picks, let’s discuss the pros of using exfoliants and how to use them correctly, so you can start off on the right foot no matter which scrub you add to your basket.

Exfoliants, like facial scrubs, benefit the skin by buffing away the top layer of dead skin cells, which inevitably clears and prevents clogged pores, improves overall skin texture, boosts blood circulation, and fades dark spots. By removing that cell buildup, exfoliants also allow for better absorption of other skincare products, so you get more out of those active ingredients. For those who shave their face, using a face scrub prior to shaving can help soften and lift the hairs, so you’re less likely to get ingrown hairs.

It pretty much goes without saying that using a face scrub will make your skin smoother and softer, but to maximize these benefits, it’s essential to moisturize afterward, ideally when your skin is still slightly damp. It’s also important to remember that while exfoliation comes with a plethora of skin benefits, it has pitfalls when done too often. Over-exfoliation can damage the skin’s natural moisture barrier, leading to dryness, redness, irritation, and overall inflammation.

You also don’t want to use a face scrub that is too harsh. So look for ones with spherical, gentle beads that are less likely to scratch or damage the skin (compared to those with rough, jagged edges that cause micro-tears). The addition of chemical exfoliants can boost a face scrub’s effects but can also make them more irritating. So be sure whichever scrub you choose suits your skin type and sensitivity levels.

The Best Faces Scrubs to Try Right Now

1. Blu Atlas Exfoliating Scrub

First up on our list is the Exfoliating Scrub from personal care brand Blu Atlas. According to the brand, this product is “a gentle powerwash for your face.” And honestly, that’s totally accurate. One of the reasons why the Exfoliating Scrub is the best face scrub to reach for in 2023 is that it gives your skin a gentle clean that doesn’t feel rough or dry.

A base of fatty acids, particularly palmitic and stearic acids, gives the scrub a creamy, whipped texture. These emollients also help the skin retain moisture, counteracting any of the stripping effects facial scrubs can sometimes have. And the moisturization doesn’t end there. You’ll also find glycerin, allantoin, panthenol, vitamin E, propanediol, and chamomile—all of which work together to soothe, hydrate, and deeply nourish the skin. To keep things energized, Blu Atlas also included caffeine and hibiscus flower extract, which are high in antioxidants that help brighten and protect the skin.

As for its exfoliating power, that all comes from silica, bamboo stem powder, and jojoba beads. These natural exfoliants are finely milled yet effective, which is why you can reach for this scrub multiple times a week. They’re also gentle enough for dry and sensitive skin types that struggle to find non-sensitizing exfoliants. That said, the scrub is also great for oily, combo, and normal skin types.

If that wasn’t enough to convince you, our number one pick is vegan, proudly made in the USA, and made from 98% naturally derived ingredients.

Skin types: All | Active ingredients: Bamboo, caffeine, hibiscus flower, fatty acids | Price: $25 | How often to use: Two to five times a week

2. Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

Don’t have time to book a facial? No worries, the ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment will give you facial-like results in a matter of minutes—two minutes, to be exact. This clinic-inspired exfoliant is one of the best facial scrubs for smoothing skin texture, including fine lines, wrinkles, and pore size.

It removes surface dullness with an AHA and BHA blend of lactic and salicylic acids, as well as physical exfoliant silica and natural papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin enzymes. To balance things out, it also includes soothing ingredients like aloe vera, honey, and vitamin E. It really is like a facial in a bottle, which justifies the high price tag.

Skin types: Normal, combo, oily, acne-prone | Active ingredients: Lactic acid, salicylic acid, fruit enzymes, aloe vera | Price: $98 | How often to use: Twice a week

3. Shiseido WASO Satocane Pore Purifying Scrub Mask 

Want the benefits of a purifying clay mask with the smoothing effects of a physical scrub? Yeah, who wouldn’t?! The Satocane Pore Purifying Scrub Mask by Shiseido is a tried-and-true exfoliant that’s rightfully made it to the top of our list. Formulated with Satokini (a Japanese sugarcane), its mud-like texture prevents sebum oxidation, a contributing factor to clogged pores.

Kaolin clay also helps absorb excess sebum and target pesky blackheads. Betaine (a vegetal exfoliant) refines the skin’s texture and eliminates impurities with its gentle exfoliating prowess.  You can apply this all over the face or target your oilier areas, like the t-zone. Either way, five minutes of this mask will leave you with an even, glowy (but not oily) complexion.

Skin types: Normal, dry, combination, oily, acne-prone | Active ingredients: Japanese sugarcane, kaolin clay, betaine | Price: $38 | How often to use: Once to twice a week

4. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator

This gentle polish is a cult favorite. The powder-to-paste formula comprises pore-clearing salicylic acid, calming colloidal oatmeal, and finely milled rice powder that activates when mixed with water, releasing a boatload of skin-perfecting enzymes. White tea and licorice also amp up the scrub’s brightening abilities for a quick glow boost.

As the name suggests, the Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator is gentle enough for daily use. After cleansing, add a half-teaspoon-sized amount to wet hands to create a creamy paste. Massage in for one minute as you think about how good you’re going to look, and voilà! Fresh, super clean skin with visibly less dullness and texture.

Skin types: All | Active ingredients: Rice enzymes, colloidal oatmeal, salicylic acid, licorice root | Price: $65 | How often to use: Daily

5. Versed Day Maker Microcrystal Exfoliator 

The best face scrub for those on a budget (or anyone looking to achieve their softest skin ever) goes to the Day Maker Microcrystal Exfoliator from Versed. Made of plant-based cellulose, spotlight ingredient microcrystalline is a biodegradable alternative to traditional microbeads, which is not only good for the environment, but your face too.

Their superfine, uniform texture glides over the skin, whisking away any bad memories of rough shells and seeds from other drugstore face scrubs along with dead skin cells. Raspberry leaf and black currant leaf extracts revive a lackluster complexion with their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The formula is pH-balanced too, meaning it won’t wreak havoc or disrupt the skin barrier.

Skin types: All | Active ingredients: Microcrystalline, jojoba oil, black currant leaf, raspberry leaf | Price: $16.99 | How often to use: Once to twice a week

6. Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant

Fruit and exfoliation go hand in hand. Enzymes and small amounts of exfoliating acids found in our favorite healthy snacks (think pineapple, strawberries, and papaya) effectively brighten the skin without the drying effects other exfoliants have. This plant-powered formula contains a yummy combination of strawberry, a natural source of salicylic acid to gently clear the pores, and rhubarb, which preserves our youthful complexion with its bounty of antioxidants.

It also blends exfoliating lactic acid, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and deep cleansing heilmoor clay. The result? Balanced, healthy-looking skin. Note that the Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant is a powder exfoliant, which is gentler on the skin and more suitable for daily use. Because it comes in a powder, it won’t be as messy in your shower or when traveling.

Skin types: All | Active ingredients: Lactic acid, exfoliating flours, strawberry, hyaluronic acid | Price: $55 | How often to use: Daily

7. Paula’s Choice The UnScrub Gentle Cleansing Scrub

The UnScrub is the queen of gentle scrubs. In fact, it’s really more of an exfoliating cleanser than a scrub. Here’s the tea: It uses round, biodegradable jojoba beads that naturally dissolve as you cleanse, but not before they gently whisk away dirt and buildup.

Because they melt into the skin, it’s physically impossible to over-exfoliate with this product, which is great for those with skin sensitivity or who are heavy-handed when it comes to scrubs. The milky gel texture (courtesy of glycerin and moisturizing emollients) rinses away daily grime without disrupting the skin’s protective barrier. Use this as your one-and-done face wash or as part of your double cleanse routine for incredibly soft, supple skin.

Skin types: All | Active ingredients: Jojoba beads, glycerin, green tea, chamomile | Price: $35 | How often to use: Daily

8. Dr. Barbara Sturm Facial Scrub

The Dr. Barbara Sturm Facial Scrub might cost a pretty penny, but its high-impact formula is totally worth it. As one of the best face scrubs for dry, sensitive skin types, it gently removes any dry, flaky patches, leaving behind a smooth and hydrated complexion. Cellulose peeling particles and rounded sweet almond shell powder buff away unwanted debris and buildup.

The formula’s vitamin A and purslane (a type of succulent) are soothing and regenerative. Horse chestnut stimulates microcirculation and strengthens blood vessels for a radiant complexion. You’ve also got conditioning silk extract, shea butter, jojoba oil, panthenol, and sweet almond oil that leave long-lasting effects on the health and vibrancy of your skin.

Skin types: Dry, sensitive | Active ingredients: Vitamin A, silk, cellulose, purslane extract | Price: $75 | How often to use: Once to twice a week

9. Kiehl’s Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is an in-office facial treatment that gently sands the top layer of skin to fade acne marks, improve texture, and produce a more even skin tone. This face scrub by Kiehl’s lets you get a similar effect right at home. The advanced formula uses highly efficient micronized shell powder (aka diatomaceous earth) to exfoliate and refine skin texture. It’s especially powerful for targeting visible discoloration or small marks on the face, chest, or hands.

An addition of shea butter, glycerin, and willow herb helps to keep skin soothed with all the intense exfoliation. Even so, this isn’t what we’d call a “gentle” scrub—the creamy formula is packed with tiny exfoliants that create heat on the skin as you massage it in (using light pressure is key with this scrub). While many users love the experience, it’s not for everyone.

Skin types: All | Active ingredients: Micronized shells, willow herb, shea butter, glycerin | Price: $46 | How often to use: Three times a week

10. Ranavat Smoothing Facial Polish

Users can’t get enough of this minty green facial polish from Ranavat. Brimming with beneficial skin brighteners and A-plus Ayurvedic ingredients, we recommend this scrub for anyone dealing with dullness, acne, or uneven texture.

Exfoliating rice powder sweeps away dead skin cells to reveal radiant skin that’s been there all along. A duo of licorice root and ashwagandha fades dark spots and soothes stressed-out skin, making blemishes a thing of the past. The creamy texture, thanks to glycerin, lotus seed, sesame seed oil, and sweet almond oil, quenches the skin’s thirst for an all-around healthy glow.

Skin types: Normal, dry, acne-prone | Active ingredients: Rice powder, ashwagandha, lotus seed, licorice root | Price: $45 | How often to use: One to three times a week

11. Minimo Glow Skin Brightening Face Scrub

Boasting thousands of 5-star reviews on Amazon, this is one of the best face scrubs money can buy, particularly if you want a brighter, more radiant complexion with less hyperpigmentation. An organic blend of turmeric (to brighten dark spots and improve skin texture) and cinnamon (to improve circulation) overflow with antioxidants that give your skin a lit-from-within glow.

Raw manuka honey—a powerhouse ingredient known for its healing abilities—hydrates and softens skin in this formula. It also contains gentle exfoliating enzymes that work with pure cane sugar to buff away dullness and target discoloration. This glow-boosting treatment can be used as a face scrub or mask. And in case you were worrying about the turmeric turning your skin or clothing yellow, no worries! It’s been formulated not to stain.

Skin types: All | Active ingredients: Turmeric, manuka honey, cinnamon, chamomile | Price: $26.96 | How often to use: Two to five times a week

12. SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub

This Micro-Exfoliating Scrub by SkinCeuticals is gentle enough to use daily, which is something most face scrubs can’t say. Free of parabens, fragrances, alcohol, and other potentially drying ingredients, it offers supreme hydration on top of mild exfoliation.

A mighty concentration of silica beads mechanically polishes away dead skin cells for a more even complexion while glycerin and aloe vera team up to naturally hydrate, soothe, and refresh. Reviewers love how it effectively softens without drying their skin out. It’s also sensitive skin approved.

Skin types: Dry, normal, combo, oily, sensitive | Active ingredients: Silica, glycerin, aloe | Price: $32 | How often to use: Daily

13. Ole Henriksen 10% AHA Lemonade Smoothing Scrub

When life gives you lemons, turn it into Lemonade Smoothing Scrub. This sunny yellow scrub instantly brightens your day (and your skin) with its slushy-like consistency that goes to work reducing rough, bumpy skin texture and the look of pores. You’ve got a potent 10 percent blend of glycolic and lactic acids, which chemically exfoliate the skin, as well as ultra-fine sugar exfoliants and lemon peel to polish, reduce dullness, and clean out enlarged pores.

No wonder it’s one of the brand’s best-selling products. In a clinical study, 100% of participants found that the scrub polished and smoothed the skin, creating a more even-looking appearance. Plus, the scent is zesty and energizing.

Skin types: All | Active ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, holy basil, lemon peel | Price: $35 | How often to use: Two to three times a week

14. Aesop Purifying Facial Exfoliant Paste

Dry skin types rejoice—this exfoliating scrub from Aesop is for you. The creamy formula is enhanced with rosehip oil, glycerin, and evening primrose oil to smooth, soothe, and strengthen the skin barrier. The creamy texture feels extremely luxe because it is.

The scrub exfoliates with a combination of finely ground quartz crystal, which physically sloughs away dead cell buildup, and lactic acid, which increases cell turnover and helps fade dark spots. Bonus: Lactic acid is also a humectant, meaning it draws water from the environment into the skin for a boost of hydration. Just another reason why this scrub is a win-win for dry skin. The addition of rosemary leaf and lavender extracts not only provides a spa-like scent but helps to keep skin feeling fresh and clean.

Skin types: All, best for dry | Active ingredients: Quartz, lactic acid, rosehip oil, rosemary leaf | Price: $57 | How often to use: Two to four times a week

15. Exuviance Triple Microdermabrasion Face Polish

The Triple Microdermabrasion Face Polish by Exuviance is truly a triple threat. Dull, flaky skin doesn’t stand a chance against a blend of 10% glycolic acid, papaya enzymes, and professional-grade crystals that work harmoniously to unveil a brighter, smoother complexion.

Glycolic acid, in particular, is fantastic at helping fade pesky dark spots from sun damage or acne. Its high percentage is ultra-effective but might be too spicy for those with sensitive skin, so keep that in mind. With this face scrub, you don’t actually want to scrub your skin. Instead, go for a gentler approach, using circular motions to lightly massage it into the skin for around 30 seconds or so.

Skin types: Normal, oily, combo, acne-prone, mature | Active ingredients: Glycolic acid, papaya enzymes | Price: $78 | How often to use: Two to three times a week

What to Consider When Buying a Face Scrub

Ingredients

The main ingredient you should look for in a face scrub is an exfoliant of some sort, whether that’s a water-dissolving sugar granule or finely milled chickpea flour. Many face scrubs, like our best overall pick, Blu Atlas Exfoliating Scrub, sport a blend of several physical exfoliants that work together to improve cell turnover and radiance.

In addition to having an exfoliant (or two or three), we recommend getting a face scrub loaded with other skin-loving ingredients like hydrators, emollients, and antioxidants that will boost overall skin health.

Exfoliants

All face scrubs contain some mechanical (or physical) exfoliant that scrubs away dead cells from the skin’s surface. The intensity of these physical buffers varies from formula to formula, but in general, all skin types want to look for evenly shaped granules (like jojoba beads) and finely milled particles such as rice or bamboo powder. These exfoliants will be gentler on the skin than exfoliants like walnut shells or coffee grounds with coarse, jagged edges known for causing damaging micro-tears in the skin.

To bump up the exfoliation factor, choose a face scrub that has dual (or even triple) exfoliating power. Some of the best face scrubs combine physical exfoliants with chemical exfoliants like AHAs or BHAs, or fruit enzymes that help shed dullness.

Skin Type

You want to ensure the formula is right for your skin for the best results. Combination, oily, and acne-prone skin can typically handle more intense exfoliation—which is great since these skin types also deal with more textural issues from clogged pores or breakouts. Those with blemish-prone skin should especially reach for a face scrub that contains chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid that will help clear clogged pores and minimize the occurrence of breakouts.

On the flip side, dry skin types will want a creamy, non-stripping formula enriched with hydrators and exfoliants like lactic acid. If you’re on the sensitive side, avoid any facial scrubs that use abrasive physical or chemical exfoliants that will be too harsh for your skin.

How do I use a face scrub?

Yay! You finally purchased a new scrub. But how do you use it properly? Here’s what you need to know.

Step 1: The best way to use a face scrub is right after cleansing while your skin is slightly damp. You don’t want to start exfoliating on dry skin, as this will create too much friction and not allow the exfoliants to glide over the skin.

Step 2: Disperse the recommended amount into the palm of your hand.

Step 3: Apply the facial scrub to your damp face and gently massage using circular motions and light pressure. You don’t want to press the scrub into your skin or pack on the pressure—that’s a recipe for damage. A light touch is all you need to let the exfoliants do their thing.

Step 4: Continue massaging the scrub into the face using circular, upward motions. Focus on target areas such as your cheeks and nose while avoiding any delicate areas like the lips and around your eyes.

Step 5: Massage for at least 30 seconds or as your product directs.

Step 6: Rinse with lukewarm water and gently pat your skin dry. Follow with the rest of your skincare routine, like serums, moisturizers, and sunscreen during the day.

How often should I use a face scrub?

Most experts recommend exfoliating the face two to three times a week. This is a great starting place for most skin types. Though those with sensitive skin will want to start with once a week and see how the skin reacts.

How often you use a face scrub also depends on the product itself. Some of the gentler scrubs are designed to be used five times a week or even daily, while others are strong enough for just one time around. On each of our 15 best face scrubs, we included information on how often you should use the product.

You don’t need to be using intense scrubs every day of the week to achieve the results you’re looking for. Over-exfoliation is never a good thing and, most of the time, causes more harm than good. So stick with the less is more philosophy.

Can I use a face scrub if I have acne?

Yes and no. In general, exfoliation is beneficial for reducing acne. And certain exfoliants help with clogged pores, minor breakouts, and post-acne dark marks. However, using too harsh of a manual scrub when you have acne can be irritating and cause your acne to flare, especially if your breakouts are deep and cystic.

If you want to use a face scrub and have breakout-prone skin, opt for something gentle like Paula’s Choice The Unscrub that won’t cause excess irritation and is packed with skin barrier-repairing ingredients. Other things to consider are scrubs containing salicylic acid, a BHA that helps remove dead skin cells and oil clogging the pores, and calming ingredients that tackle redness and inflammation.